BEST THINGS TO DO OUTDOORS IN HENDERSON
RIVER MOUNTAINS LOOP TRAIL
River Mountains Loop Trail is quite impressive. The entirety of the trail spans 34 miles, meaning it extends well outside of Henderson. Should you complete the entire trail, it will bring you to Boulder City, the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and several other parts of the greater Las Vegas area. Perfect for the adventurous at heart, the trail showcases quintessential landscapes of the American Southwest that will make you feel like you’re on the set of a Western movie. The trail also provides stunning views of Las Vegas.
The trail is fully paved, making it a popular spot for bicyclists. While the trail was completed in 2010, city planners aren’t done yet. The long-term goal is to expand it into a 100-mile trail as part of the Vegas Valley Rim Trail. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and water, as it is quite easy to spend an entire day adventuring out on the trail.
HENDERSON BIRD VIEWING PRESERVE
The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is located on the north end of town and is a must-visit spot. The preserve contains nine ponds across 140 acres, where thousands of migratory birds make a stop every year. You can book a tour to learn about the importance of the preserve and its impact on wildlife, as the watering hole serves as a critical point for both migratory and local animals. Plus, the several paths around the preserve are excellent for jogging and walking as you enjoy nature.
RIO SECCO GOLF CLUB
Rio Secco is often considered one of the best golf courses in all of Las Vegas. But there is one catch: it’s not in Las Vegas—it’s in Henderson. The golf course was designed by legendary golf course designer Rees Jones, who made excellent use of the surrounding geography and masterfully divided the course into three parts. Six holes are on a plateau that features incredible views of the city, six are located on a mountain range, and six are located in a canyon.
The golf club is home to world-renowned instructor Butch Harmon, who has expertly coached a number of legendary golfers, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman, and countless others. He has since opened his own golf school at Rio Secco. He and his staff are available for instructions, corporate events, and additional appearances.
Perhaps the best thing about Rio Secco is that it is a public course. Non-members are welcome to schedule tee times up to 120 days in advance.
SLOAN CANYON NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA
Sloan Canyon is a spacious and serene outdoor area that covers nearly 50,000 acres. One can easily spend days exploring the paths and marveling at the gorgeous landscape. One of the most noteworthy trails in the canyon is the Petroglyph Canyon Trail, which covers an archaeological site that contains over 1,700 petroglyphs spanning from ancient times to the 1800s. The trail can get quite hot, and visiting in the fall or spring is recommended.
SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS
The desert surrounding Henderson is undoubtedly beautiful, but no one would consider it colorful. However, the arid geography caught the attention of Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. Using the Goodsprings Mountains as a backdrop, Rondinone installed seven columns of colorful boulders and named the art piece Seven Magic Mountains. The colorful towers provide a sharp, stunning contrast to the beige color of the desert.
Photos of the brightly colored art piece hardly do it justice. Visiting the art piece is free, and no reservations are required. The artist only requests that visitors follow the “leave no trace” mantra of conservation.
THINGS TO DO INDOORS IN HENDERSON
CHEER ON YOUR TEAM
Sports-minded individuals will find their place in Henderson. In particular, hockey fans will enjoy cheering for the Henderson Silver Knights at the Dollar Loan Center, where this exciting team plays their home games out on the ice. The Dollar Loan Center is also home to the NBA G League Ignite team and the Vegas Knight Hawks indoor football team. Plus, Henderson’s newly built Lifeguard Arena serves as the practice facility for the Silver Knights as they prepare for their upcoming season and hone their skills.
Henderson didn’t forget about football fans, either. The Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center serves as the headquarters for the Las Vegas Raiders. This newly built, three-story, 150,000-square-foot indoor field house is the practice center for the beloved team. Plus, once the NFL season starts, fans can always make the quick drive to Allegiant Stadium to watch the Raiders in action on their home field. Henderson’s hockey enthusiasts can also head to the T-Mobile Arena, where they can cheer on the Vegas Golden Knights.
CLARK COUNTY MUSEUM
The Clark County Museum is one of the most complete historical museums in the entire Las Vegas area. This museum features everything from prehistoric peoples to the Paiute tribe to the arrival of European Settlers to the story of Las Vegas as a world-renowned tourist destination. The museum covers about 30 acres, making it a great place to spend the afternoon. There are plenty of exhibits on rotation, keeping the museum fresh for subsequent visits.
LAKE LAS VEGAS RESORT
The Las Vegas area is full of naming oddities, like Lake Las Vegas Resort. The lake isn’t in Las Vegas; it’s in Henderson. There isn’t a single resort, but rather, it’s multiple resorts. Nonetheless, it is commonly called “Lake Las Vegas Resort.”
Confusing names aside, Lake Las Vegas Resort is the go-to spot if you want to experience a spa day. Multiple resorts surround the 320-acre lake, making it one of the few places in the area with waterfront views. There are plenty of hotel spas to choose from, including The Westin, Hilton, MonteLago Village, and others. After being pampered, visitors can dine at one of the many world-class restaurants.
THE SALT ROOM
Photo courtesy of The Salt Room
While Lake Las Vegas Resort is a great place for a spa day, there’s nothing quite like The Salt Room. This spa is relatively new, as it opened in 2014. It is one of the few places in Nevada where visitors can practice Halotherapy, also known as salt therapy.
The origins of Halotherapy are debated, but many believe the practice was discovered in the salt mines of Poland. It was found that those who worked in the salt mines were healthier than those who didn’t, specifically in respiratory health. The miners would rarely catch colds and seemed to be immune from allergies. After observing this, non-miners would spend time in the salt mines for the benefits of halotherapy. Two hundred years later, halotherapy is starting to become popular on the other side of the Atlantic.
At The Salt Room in Henderson, visitors can engage in halotherapy by relaxing in one of the many “salt caves.” In addition to reports of enhanced respiratory function, users of halotherapy have also reported improved skin appearance. The Salt Room also offers conventional spa treatments like massages, facials, and more for a refreshing, relaxing experience.
DINING IN HENDERSON
HANK’S FINE STEAKS & MARTINIS
There are plenty of excellent steakhouses throughout Henderson, but Hank’s Fine Steaks & Martinis is a must-visit. The restaurant has numerous accolades and awards backing its reputation, including the Four Diamond award from AAA, the Excellence Award from Wine Spectator, and countless others. Hank’s is the only restaurant in town that offers certified A-5 Kobe Beef. The seafood is just as good, as most of it is flown in fresh daily.
While the food and wine list certainly are spectacular, one of the best things about Hank’s is the interior decoration. There are several chandeliers that are fit for a monarch.
TODD’S UNIQUE DINING
Perhaps the most unique thing about Todd’s Unique Dining is that it provides luxurious dining in a casual setting. The food is spectacular, but there is no need to get all dressed up for Todd’s. The restaurant is helmed by award-winning chef Todd Clore who is known for fusing modern trends with culinary classics: for example, the goat cheese wontons served with raspberry basil sauce. One of our favorite dishes is actually a side: Jalapeno mashed potatoes.
Todd’s offers plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options. They serve over 350 wines, and the restaurant’s interior was recently renovated.
VENTANO ITALIAN GRILL
The Ventano Italian Grill is a local favorite that has been undiscovered by most tourists. This popular spot is the brainchild of award-winning chefs Carmine Vento and Arnauld Briand. The restaurant serves authentic Italian food, meaning there are plenty of seafood options on the menu. There are some excellent pasta options as well, such as the rigatoni Portofino pasta served in a pink sauce with peas and ham. Ventano’s also provides some stunning views of the distant Las Vegas Strip and surrounding mountains.
SERVED: GLOBAL DINING
Served: Global Dining is helmed by famed chef Matt Myer. The 5,2000-square-foot restaurant prides itself on finding the perfect pairings of vegetables and proteins. True to its name, Served aims to provide a global dining experience. A favorite example includes the Pollo Havana, which comes with glazed carrots and authentic Cuban rice. Patrons will have no problem finding an excellent wine pairing to go with their entrees.
Served is well celebrated for having a spectacular dinner menu, but we think it is also the best brunch spot in Henderson. There are some fantastic breakfast options that showcase Chef Myer’s talent for creating international pairings. We’re particularly fond of the Steak and Foie Gras benedict.
LVREAL
If you’re looking to join us in the fabulous city of Henderson, finding the right realtor can make all the difference. That’s where LVREAL can help. Led by Maureen Robison, our team is well-versed in helping clients find fantastic luxury properties throughout the entire Las Vegas area. Whether you’re looking for a Summerlin condo or a top-notch Henderson home, we’re the team to call.